The Portland daily press., 1887-04-11

Its Celebration In the Portland
Churches.
A Charming Day and Beautiful Deco
ratlons.

A Charming Day and Beautiful Deco
rations.
Yesterday proved a phenomenal Easter.
Instead of spring temperature we were
favored with summer day. The wind was
from the west, the skies were blue, and the
sun shone with unwonted feryor, the mer-
curry touching ZOE in the shade. Winter
clothes were burden, and velvets and
beaver cloths looked out of place. The snow
remaining in the streets melted rapidly in
the heat OF the sun. 1t was noticeable how
gladly, at noon, people took advantage Of
the shady side Of the street.
The fine day called out crowds Of worship
pers to the churches. II Is certain the floral
decorations. while in excellent taste, as a
rule, were not as elaborate as In some past
years. This was due in a measure to the
scarcity Of fine flowers. The music in many
OIL the churches was very fine. The pro-
grammes have been published in the PRESS.
The clergy took the Resurrection for their
texts
The following Is brief description Of the
floral decorations in the churches:
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.
An invitation had been extended by this
church to the communicates Of Knights
Templar of this city to attend the afternoon
services. In response 102 Knights represent
ing the Portland. St. Alban and Blanque-
fort communicates assembled at Masonic
Hall, and at 2.45 p. m. marched to the
church. The column was headed by
Eminent Commanders j. 7. Sawyer of the
Portland and B. B. Farnsworth Of st. Alban
Commandery; followed by the various Off
GERS Of the organization in the order of their
prominence. The customary Easter decora-
tions adorned the church and were very
beautiful In the center the word "Wel-
come" In handsome letters was suspended,
while on either side the mottos "The Re-
deemer of Men" and "rhe Conqueror of
Death" were conspicuously placed.
AT the back of the pulpit appeared the
words He Is risen" and above a large palm
leaf had been placed. There was
profusion Of flowers. A lovely double star
OF carnations, painted with roses occupied
the front Of the pulpit to the memory Of
Gertrude and Leonera Decelle. A vase of
hilies was also the tribute Of the Sunday
School class to the same There were
bouquets for Mrs. Daniel Goodhue, Addie
Louise GRAHAM, John Weber and l.. S.
Webster A beautiful Tyre in memory Of
John L. Rand completed the memorials
which rested at the base Of the pulpit and
along the edge of the platform. On both
sides quantities Of callas added their white
purity to the scene, and between these and
the altar pyramids of Towering plants,
fuehias, geraniums and petunias were pre-
sented to the view.
Rev. Marion Crosley, the pastor, read ap-
propriate selections from the scriptures and
then commenced his discourse upon "The
Relation Of Templar Masonry to the Chris
tian Religion" In beginning he said:
A word Of greeting may not be out Of or
der before proceeding TO our theme. And
this word suspended above me expresses the
sentiment OF us all We welcome you to
this altar. We meet to-day on common
ground. On the broad grounds that have
been drawn up for US by the Christian reli-
the truth that Christ did arise from the dead.
we, Jointly recognize Christianity as OF
ject in life.
Templar Masonry is founded upon the
.VAA6ASA ~ jesus NuIlSt, BIOWiuk out OIL It's
history, its struggles, and its triumphs. ii
grew out OF a condition of things when it
was necessary to defend the cause of Christ
knlghthood had its origin In the erusades
ana the Age OF Chiyalry had its birth in
the attempts TO rescue the sacred sepulchre.
The rise Of the varisus orders Of the Gold
en- Cross, OF St John, Malta, and Red Cross
was described at length. Their object was
TO encourage the Christian virtues after
tne pattern Of Christ himself. and they
lorarr w.ratl
lore the l4th century had passed the Oppos-
ition to Christianity had been quelled and
the knight was without an occupation. Then
the order became addicted to vices and even
tuaily 9led; From this came modern Ma
sonic knighthood, which seeks to-day to
perpetuate peace akin to that heralded by
the coming Of Christ into the world. Thev
have the object of feeding the hungry, of aid
ing the poor and unfortunate. Thus ii seems
sntlrely within your character to assemble
here to celebrate that which gives us a
istence.
Mr.. Crosley then proceeded to speak Of the
fact OF the resurrection, taking as his text,
He spoke Of the hope brought to the disci-
pies By the final victory and of the various
scientific arguments against this miracle, and
cited the influence of Christianity, founded
on this one act, through all ages as proving
that it must have occurred. Still there Is
much mystery surrounding it, but every-
thing In life is envel0ped In the same mantle.
Earth Is shrouded in mystery.
Mr.. Crosley concluded by speaking of i'm
mortality as proved beyond all question, and
tlves that awaits us when death shall re-
lease us all from earth.
At the morning service, fifteen persons
were taken into the church
FIRST PARISH.
The First Parish church received decora
ton that was novel and particularly becom
ing. The edge Of the pulpit was bound will
evergreen, in which marigolds were inter
twined, and from the centre depended a
cluster Of red .and yellow tulips and jon
quils. Over the pulpit was suspended a
large cross Of evergreen, fastened in the
centre with cluster of Easter lilies. On
either side Of the pulpit recess stood large
vases filed with tropical plants and lilies,
| the one on the right memorial to Mr.. II. j.
Morrill,. On the right of the Communion
table stood floral table bearing a superb
anchor Of camelias, roses and heath, to the
memory Of Mr.. Thomas G. Loring; and on
the left superb cross and crown to the
memory OF Mrs. Dearborn and Mrs. X. B.
Ayres. The Communion table was wreathed
with smilax and bore two superb memorial
crosses for Mr.. and Mrs. Asa Clapp, and
Mrs. W. Il. Clapp, large basket Of roses, a
cluster Of lilies tied with a broad white
satin bow in memory of Mr.. Charles G..
Halnes, magnificent cross lying prostrate
that bore no name, basket OF beautiful
Jacqueminot and Marshal Neil roses, d
basket that formed a centre piece Composed
| OF Jonquils and Marshal Neil roses, a beauti-
| ful cluster OF the same roses in memory d
Mrs. II. b. Brown, a vase OF lilies for Or
/ Nichols, and bouquet Of lilies In memory
| Of Charles III. Haskell.
In the afternoon the children of Preblt
/ Chapel united with those Of the First Parish
| In singing their Easter carols
In the evening the church was crowded 10
near the Easter music under the direction
Oh kotzsehmar, organist. The following
was the programme, admirably sung;
Gloria Patri.. Kafrenberee,
Hymn oo-strike the Cymbai .......... .Puciita
Anthem-Ihe Strain Upraise. Stanley
IuOuato. M0sentna
ahc Doauteous Ddy dy.....................G. II. Root
Sndnt-Lorus ffayer.
| Congregational Hymn-All Hail the power ol
| Jesus Name.
| NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
The floral offerings at this church though
not large in quantity displayed taste both In
the offerings and arrangement. Over the re
pository containing the Divine Word were
lilies. and at the base Of the pulpit, callas
| The baptismal font was decorated with {